Switch for electric lamps



H. EDMUNDS,IJ1-.

SWITCH PCR ELECTRIC LAMPS.

(No Model.)

Patened Deo. 18, 1883.

N. PETERS, Pholwlillwgnpher. wnmngmn D c.

Unirse STATI-:s2

*PATENTv OFFICE.

HENRY EDMUNDS, JR., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS .T. MONTGOMERY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 290,406, dated December 18, 1883.

Application filed April 5, 1883. (No model.)

T0 0,55 whom, it 711,603/ concern.-

. Be it known that I, HENRY EDMUNDs, J r., of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Switches for Electric Lamps, and the following1 is declared to be a description of the same.

This invention relates to switches for turning on and off the electric current in incandescent electric lamps, and the same are adapted to chandeliers'or brackets in either new work or what is termed adapted iittings.77

The object of my invention is to make the switch positive in its action, simplein construction, and one in which the key will be held firmly in position when the current is turned on or off. I employ a metal cup having a connection at one or both sides for the chandelier or bracket and the incandescing electric lamp. Into this cup I place a base of non conducting material-such as rubber, gutta-percha, or vulcanite iiber-with a hole through it for the passage of one circuit-wire. Upon the surface of this non-conducting material are plates of metal with binding-screws for the circuit-wires and spring-arms, and I provide a key for making and breaking the electric circuit between these springs. `There is a cover to said cup, and through it thespindle of a turn button or handle passes for operating said key in lighting or extinguishing the lamp.

In the drawings, Figure I is an elevation of an incandescent electric lamp holder, socket, and switch. Fig. 2 is an elevation or'face View of the switch with the cover removed. Fig. 3 shows the inner surface of the cover. Figs. 4 and 5 are modifications of the form of the switch-springs, and Fig. 6 is a section of the switch shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 represents my improved switch as attached to the barrel of the cock in a gas-pipe; and Fig. S represents my switch as applied to the distribution-boX of a chandelier.

Fig. l illustrates a lamp, its holder or sockcup has a screw-thread within it, which engages the thread upon the cap or cover o.

- The non-conducting base d fits into this cup a,

and it is fastened tightly, and it usually has a hole through it for one circuit-wire, 4, to pass, as seen in Fig.,6.

In Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 the non-conducting material is indicated bythe close parallel lines. In Fig. 2 the spring-arms e e are coiled around the posts ff', set in the non-conducting material, and pass to the clamping-screwsg g. The plates of metal .h h connect the clampingscrews g g with the binding-screws 'i' t, and to these bi nding-screws i 13 the circuit-wires 2 are attached. The spring-arm e is limited in its inward movement by the stop 7c. In Fig. 4'the plates h 7L are shown of larger size, and made as segments of a circle, and the binding-screws t i', to which the circuit-wires 2 are secured, as shown upon said plates. In this gure the spring-arms ce are sustained by the posts ff', but are of a different shape from those of Fig. 2, and the springs Z Z, which are held and supported by lugs and pins m m', formed upon the plates 71. h', press upon the arms e e, but allow them to yield. The arm e is retained by the stop 7c, as in Fig. `2. In Fig. 5 the plates 7L la. are made of a similar shape to those in Fig. 4, and the binding-screwst' i for the circuit-wires 2 are secured upon said plate in the same manner. The arm e is made double, as shown, and passes around the clamping-screw q and partly around the binding-screw i. The free ends of said arm e'act as springs, and yieldto the pressure of the key when turned. The spring e is of bent forni, and is held in position by the clamping-screws g. The plate h of this figure forms a support for the center of the key n, and the l position of this key is shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5 by dotted lines as turned off. The position when turned on will be at right angles thereto. The spindle 0 passes through the cover c into a block, p, of insulating material, to which the key n is also secured by projections, that pass into the block p at a distance from the spindle o. This cover c, key n, and block p are shown in Fig. 3. The spindle o is provided with a handle, o. The main wire in all of these forms is continued through the non-conducting base d, and the return-wire is divided and carried to the bind- IOO ing-screws t i", the circuit being made as the key n is turned between the springs or arms c c', and its edges brought forcibly into contact with such springs or arms to partially press them apart, and thus insure perfect metallic continuity for the electric circuit. Vhen the key is turned so as to stand in the position represented in Figs. 2, 4, 5 by dotted lines, the circuit is broken and the spring e holds the key in position by pressing against one of its sides.

My improved switch can be used at the ordinary gas-cock, as shown in Fig. 7, in which case I remove the plug of the cock and provide a spindle upon the base of the cup a, and this spindle is passed through the barrel of the gascoek, and I secure said spindle and cup by a nut, as shown. The wires for the electric circuit are passed through the barrel, as illustrated in said ligure.

My improved switch can also be employed at the distribution-box of a chandelier, as shown in Fig. S, the switch-case forming the ornamental base of said distribution-box cover. In this instance I divide the direct conductor, carrying it through said switch, so that the turning on or off of the switch either lights or cxtinguishcs all of the lamps upon the chandelier. I prefer to employ this switch at the distribution-box, in addition to a switch for operating each individual lamp.

I claim as my inventionl. Inaswitch for electric lighting purposes, the combination, with the cup a, cover c, and non-conducting base d in the bottom of the cup, of the arms c c at opposite sides of the center of the base, the studs ff, clampingscrews g y', plates h h', and binding-screwsz' i', connected to and supportedby the base d, and key a, with a shank passing through thecover for making and breaking the circuit, substantially as set fort-h.

2. In a switch for electric lightingpurposcs, the combination, with the cup a, coverc, and non-conducting base d within such cup, of the arms c e', studs fj", stop 7s, plates h h', binding-screws vl, connected to and supported by the non-conducting base, and the key a, bctween the arms e c', for making and breaking the electric circuit, substantially as set forth.

A switch for electric lighting purposes, composed of a cup, a, anon-conducting base, d, within the cup, perforated for the passage of the direct wire, and provided with springarms upon the surface of the base, and binding-screws for the return-wire, and a key between the arms for turning on and off the electric current, substantially as set forth.

4. In a switch for electric lamps, thekey 11, formed of a metal plate with prongs, the insulating-block p, into which such prongs penctrate, the spindle o, passing into the block between the prongs, but not touching them, a point projecting from the key, the insulatingbase d, springs or arms c e', and eircuitcon nections to the same and the case and cover, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 29th day of March, A. D. ISSS.

HENRY EDMUNDS, .'I R.

\Vitnesses:

ico. T. PINCKNEY, TILLLUI G. Mo'r'r. 

